So far....

Two weeks in and Whew! What a year already.  I hardly EVER get sick and I have been battling a head cold for ten days. Everyone in my house has had it, my sweet in-loves both have pneumonia and the flu is wild around these parts.  The new school semester is in full swing and I am running hard to stay ahead of all my little scholars! I teach AP this semester and those kids keep me on my toes. It is hard to be on my toes when my head feels so bad. Our business is super busy right now (Thank you for answered prayer Lord) and I am working most nights when I get home.

Last week I accidentally washed baby girl's Iphone in the washing machine. Of course, it was not insured. She actually handled it pretty well. No weeping and gnashing of teeth and we found her another one fairly inexpensively.

I have two close friends who have lost immediate family members unexpectedly in the past week. It is a hard blow anytime of year, but especially right on the heels of the holidays when we usually experience great joy. In just these two short weeks of 2013 I am reminded how much we are Not in control of things.  Life can throw some pretty hard curveballs our direction. All of this had the potential to get me pretty down. That is why I chose Phil 4:8 for my memory verse this time:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If our eyes focus solely on the circumstances of our present situation we can get dejected rather quickly. I know, because God's word tells me, that I can take my thoughts captive and change my focus. If I can do this, then I know that great joy I experienced at the holidays can be mine every day. I want that. I pray for that. I yearn for that. And I know He will give it to me.

The Bible tells me so.

Michelle